Browsing: Brent

Overreactions are easy to make early in the fantasy hockey season. Some of your usual scorers aren’t scoring. A couple of your players are already on injured reserve. You’ve lost your first weekly head-to-head and are projected to go 0-2.

But you can’t drop proven performers after only a few games. Be patient. Give them time.

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If you’re still thinking about your (hopefully) temporary woes, here are a few readily available NHLers who can help right away.

Forwards

Elias Lindholm, BOS (Yahoo: 49%): Following two disappointing seasons, Lindholm is set to get back on track as Boston’s undisputed No. 1 center at both even-strength and on the power play. He’s rarely been injured throughout his career and will regularly get to skate with David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie, so somewhere in the 50-60 point range looks to be a solid baseline. Lindholm may often face the opposition’s best defenders due to the Bruins’ thin depth chart up front, but you can’t go wrong with sufficient scoring, a bunch of hits and a lot of faceoff wins.

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Nick Schmaltz, UTA (Yahoo: 33%): When you think of consistency, think of Schmaltz. After all, he’s managed to score 58, 59, 61 and 63 points his last four seasons. Schmaltz also leads the top line during all scoring situations while providing plenty of shots on goal and averaging between 18-19 minutes per game. He’s also set up three of Utah’s eight goals on an attack that should improve with the recent addition of JJ Peterka.

William Eklund, SJ (Yahoo: 31%): It’s way too early to get excited, but the Sharks have potted 10 goals in the first three games (let’s ignore the 16 they’ve conceded). And, surprisingly, only two have come from the four forwards on the first man-advantage. Eklund can claim one of those (Tyler Toffoli’s the other) alongside an assist, six shots and an average of 18:29 ice time per game — including almost four PP minutes. Based on recent production and current placement, it’s entirely possible he exceeds his 58 points from last season.

Teuvo Teravainen, CHI (Yahoo: 28%): Frank Nazar was discussed last week, and he’s already up to six points. One of his linemates boasts the same number, and it’s not Todd Bertuzzi. Teravainen has also notched two PPPs after 24 upon his 2024-25 return to Chicago. He won’t give you much else in terms of counting stats, though the offense should suffice. The Blackhawks’ second line deserves more love (Nazar’s coverage has more than doubled since being mentioned), so be sure to click on Teravainen’s name and reap the benefits.

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Jimmy Snuggerud, STL (Yahoo: 21%): Snuggerud carried over his NCAA success into a solid stint with the Blues to close out last season. And he seems to have continued that momentum via a two-goal, six-shot effort Monday at Vancouver. Snuggerud has also fit seamlessly in on St. Louis’ lead power play, where he’s tallied two points. As his minutes and responsibilities increase, so should his fantasy profile.

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Matthew Coronato, CGY (Yahoo: 19%): After finishing 29th in offense, the Flames keep struggling to find the back of the net with only nine goals. But Coronato can’t be blamed for this dry spell, as he’s fired home two markers in addition to 10 shots. The former first-rounder is usually centered by Nazem Kadri, with the duo finding significant success while up a man (39 combined PPPs last year). Watch for Coronato to eclipse the 50-point plateau.

Oliver Bjorkstrand, TB (Yahoo: 10%): It’s not often you’ll find a bottom-half, 5-on-5 forward here. At the same time, being on an elite man-advantage counts for a lot in fantasy. Bjorkstrand is coming off four consecutive double-digit PPP hauls across Columbus, Seattle and Tampa Bay. He’s teamed up with former Kraken teammate Yanni Gourde but gets most of his good looks on the No. 1 power play and struck for a PPG during the opener. Bjorkstrand’s place on that quintet seems tenuous with Brandon Hagel currently on the other group, but he’s there heading into Friday’s contest at Detroit.

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Zach Benson, BUF (Yahoo: 7%): If you weren’t watching hockey on Wednesday, you may have not heard about Benson’s season debut. After not being available for the opening three matchups, the 13th pick from 2023 dished out four assists — including one on each special teams unit — on a line with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. While that performance came against an Ottawa side that’s already surrendered 22 goals, Benson was already projected to skate on the top trio before getting hurt. With the Sabres facing a few tougher defenses the next couple weeks, monitor his progress before adding him.

Defensemen

Brent Burns, COL (Yahoo: 32%): Burns isn’t logging as much ice time compared to his prime years, yet the 40-year-old hasn’t lost his offensive instincts. And like with his time in Carolina, he’s not being asked to lead the blueline with the Avs. At just over a 20-minute average, Burns has produced three assists, 13 shots and eight blocks while joining Devon Toews on the second power play, where he’s supplied a PPA. As long as he stays in the top-four and man-advantage, he should deliver around 30 points and 200 shots on goal.

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Justin Faulk, STL (Yahoo: 23%): Faulk is another long-time defender whose scoring stats have declined while still providing enough to be fantasy-worthy. He may only have one assist so far, though no one is going to complain about the seven shots, nine hits and 10 blocks on 23:31 per game. And that lone helper came Saturday on a solid Blues’ second PP. Faulk is generally consistent, which should be enough to get him on more rosters.

Dmitry Orlov, SJ (Yahoo: 14%): It’s been a quick turnaround of teams for Orlov the last few seasons, yet he’s fit in well at every stop. And things are similar in San Jose, as he’s part of a veteran group that balances their promising youngsters. What’s different is a power-play spot that could increase if Orlov was to move up to the Sharks’ top PP with John Klingberg hurt, but he’ll still be in a favorable position based on output (three assists, five shots, seven hits) and significant minutes (22:19 average).

Sean Walker, CAR (Yahoo: 1%): It’s hard to understand how Walker remains available in 99% of Yahoo leagues. Maybe it’s because he’s never topped 29 points in any season or registered his only offensive contribution so far with a goal on Tuesday. Some fantasy formats use smaller rosters and/or less teams, but anyone who’s averaged 2:22 while up a man playing on the lead pair during both even-strength and shorthanded should be up for more consideration. And Walker could accumulate more stats, as projected regular partner Jaccob Slavin is slated to return soon.

Goaltenders

Cam Talbot, DET (Yahoo: 35%): Talbot may have been the Red Wings’ predominant starter during 2024-25, but John Gibson was clearly brought in over the summer to be the No. 1. The latter struggled during his Detroit debut and was pulled in less than two periods after allowing five goals. Talbot has since started the last three games and won each contest while only giving up a combined six goals on 84 shots. Even with Gibson set to face Tampa Bay on Friday, expect Talbot to operate as the lead netminder until he falters or is forced out of the lineup.

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Alex Lyon, BUF (Yahoo: 7%): Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been sidelined the last month due to a lower-body injury, leaving Lyon as Buffalo’s top goalie and Colten Ellis (no NHL appearances since being drafted in 2019) the backup. And despite Lyon letting in nine goals over the last three outings, he made 94 saves while picking up his first win of the year versus the Sens on Wednesday. UPL will probably be eased into the rotation upon returning, which means Lyon should continue to carry a substantial short-term workload.

Players to consider from past columns:Leo Carlsson, Frank Nazar, Andrei Kuzmenko, Will Cuylle, Zachary Bolduc, Marco Rossi, Jake DeBrusk, Matias Maccelli, Brandt Clarke, Travis Sanheim, Philip Broberg, Simon Edvinsson, Spencer Knight, Charlie Lindgren

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Itâ€s quite something to be an NHLer who has played 1,500 games. Itâ€s even more impressive to do it while riding a games-played ironman streak of 927 games – the fourth-longest ironman streak in league history – while also being an important part of a legitimate Stanley Cup frontrunner in the Colorado Avalanche.

But thatâ€s exactly whatâ€s being done right now by 40-year-old defenseman Brent Burns. A 22-year NHL veteran who becomes only the eighth defenseman in league history to reach the 1,500-game plateau.

The others to reach that level – Zdeno Chara (1,680 games), Chris Chelios (1,651), Scott Stevens (1,635), Larry Murphy (1,615), Ray Bourque (1,612), Nicklas Lidstrom (1,564), and Ryan Suter (1,526) – are all legends in one way or another, so Burns is in rare air when it comes to NHL longevity.

What makes Burns†1,500-game achievement – that will happen Saturday night when the Avalanche take on the Dallas Stars – all the more impressive is the fact that Burns has played an intense, physical game his entire career. This is not a delicate flower of an athlete weâ€re talking about. Staying healthy and in the lineup night in and night out, year after year, in the grind of the industry for nearly a dozen seasons as a physical force is a major feat. Most of all, Burns has been a star player who made his opponents†lives much tougher, and heâ€s been an impact player at both ends of the ice.

While you donâ€t have to lean completely on individual numbers when youâ€re discussing someoneâ€s effectiveness as an elite player, itâ€s still a fact that Burns has generated 649 assists and 910 points in 1,499 games. That should tell you all you need to know about the all-around impact heâ€s had on the four teams heâ€s played for – the Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, Carolina Hurricanes and Avalanche.

In his first two games with the Avs this year, Burns is averaging nearly 21 minutes a night (20:49, to be exact). But Father Time remains undefeated, so itâ€s undeniable that Burns might not be in the NHL much longer. This opportunity to win a Stanley Cup could be Burns†last, best opportunity to win it all and cap off what is a Hockey Hall of Fame career.

Burns has already won a Norris Trophy as the leagueâ€s top blueliner. Heâ€s also won a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship and at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. To think – this is a player who was converted from a forward to a defenseman in his first NHL season. Think of how difficult that transition had to be for Burns. Think of how your mindset has to change, and how you have to play even more responsibly when youâ€re a D-man. Thatâ€s what Burns went through and came out the other side with flying colors.

Thus, we believe that Burns is a Hockey Hall of Famer. Heâ€s an excellent example of NHL longevity, excellent offensively, posting back-to-back seasons of 27 and 29 goals with the Sharks, as well as a 67-assist season for San Jose. Heâ€s been stellar as a punishing player who’ll make you pay a physical price for daring to keep the puck away from him.

Burns†all-around impact is whatâ€s made him so valuable for so many years, and heâ€s now got a golden opportunity with the Avs to finish up his playing days by hoisting a Cup next spring.

Burns wouldnâ€t be the first Hall of Famer who failed to run the competitive NHL gamut and retire as a Cup-winner, and if thatâ€s how his career pans out, he wouldnâ€t be the last, either. But for more than 11 years, heâ€s answered the bell and skated out onto the ice to play an elite game each and every night in hockeyâ€s best league.

Avalanche fans are going to celebrate his 1,500-game achievement Saturday, but the real party could be happening in Denver in this seasonâ€s post-season. And Burns could contribute offensively and defensively to give Colorado the extra push they need to win a Cup.

And if the Avs do win a championship, Burns will be thrilled to bookend his career with the championship heâ€s chased for more than two decades. Burns has been a high-impact player throughout his career, and thatâ€s likely to be true of him again this season.

Winning a Cup would be a storybook finish to an unlikely success story, but Burnsâ€s challenge is to do precisely that.

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